Solstice Dance
General Info
Year: 2015
Duration: c. 3:35
Difficulty: II 1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: FJH Music Company
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $65.00 | Score Only (print) - $6.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bells
- Bongos
- Crash Cymbals
- Maracas
- Slapstick
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tambourine
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Experience a magical winter solstice ceremony at the megalithic Newgrange site in Ireland. A smooth, mystical introduction leads to a hypnotic dance groove as open fifths, driving drones and percussion ostinatos give the piece an ancient feel. Eventually the music builds one final time as it barrels to the powerful conclusion.
- Program Note from publisher
Solstice Dance is a depiction of what I imagine a winter solstice ceremony might look like at the megalithic passage tomb at Newgrange in Ireland. The passage tomb is a structure constructed of massive rocks that create a tunnel into a dark chamber. When the sun rises on the winter solstice each year, the light strikes the doorway and creates a single beam of light that stretches down the length of the passageway, terminating in a small alcove. In order to achieve this aesthetically striking effect, the neolithic people of Newgrange labored for generations dragging stones across daunting hills without the aid of wheels. The people who began this project were never able to see it come to fruition.
- Program Note by composer
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Texas Christian University (Ft. Worth) Concert Band (Matthew Garrett, conductor) - 28 April 2021
- Mukwonago (Wisc.) High School Symphonic Band (Emma Angoli, conductor) – 11 December 2019
- Mahoosuc Community Band (Bethel, N. H.) (Patricia Boyle Wight, conductor) – 9 December 2019
- Texas Christian University (Fort Worth) Concert Band (Ethan Streeter, conductor) – 24 April 2017
- VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, Ill.) Symphonic Band (Stacey Larson Dolan, conductor) - 18 December 2015 (2015 Midwest Clinic)
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Across the Serengeti (2016)
- And Sail Away (2017)
- Bold
- Bravado Tango (2015)
- Cassini's Dive (2021)
- Christus Factus Est (as transcriber) (1884/2018)
- Circle of Wagons (2013)
- Come Down Rain (2018)
- Crowns of Glory (2020)
- Dance Slav (2018)
- Everybody Sang (2019)
- Foiled Again! (2014)
- Laniakea (2016)
- Leading Light (2022)
- Legacy Fanfare (2016)
- Monumental Triumph
- Moon Over Half Dome (2019/2021)
- On the Kerry Shore (2017)
- On the Wing (2014)
- Palo Duro Sunrise (2015)
- Passage of Arms (2013)
- Queen Anne’s Revenge (2013)
- Ruins of Tulum (2013)
- Scenes from the American West (2018)
- Solstice Dance (2015)
- The Spirit of Cashel (2019)
- Spellbound (2016)
- A Swashbuckling Christmas (2017)
- Symphony No.1 (2022)
- ¡Viva! (2017)
- Wellspring (2020)
- Whirling Novas (2015)
Resources
- Jack Wilds Music Accessed 2 August 2021